RGV Sports Hall to induct seven for Class of 2024
Seven sports figures are set for enshrinement into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame this weekend.
This year’s class includes four women and three men. They are Shelly Duffey of Edinburg, Jesse Gutierrez of McAllen, Bert Lozano of Mission, Magda Canales of McAllen, Michelle Denise Martin of Edinburg, Darbie Bruning of Brownsville and Sam Ayoub of San Benito.
The group includes four athletes, one coach, one trainer and one game official. All will be inducted at the 36th annual RGV Sports Hall of Fame banquet on Saturday at the Mission Event Center (200 North Shary Road).
The doors will open at 4 pm. Dinner will be served at 5 pm with the event starting at 6 pm.
In addition to the individuals, the RGV Sports Hall of Fame will recognize three teams for its Hall of Honor; these will be the state finalist 1974 Mercedes Tigers baseball team, the state semifinalist 1974 Lyford girls basketball team plus the 3-time state semifinalists Raymondville Bearkats girls basketball teams from 1966-68.
Duffey was a multi-sport star at Edinburg North High in the 1990s. She was All-Valley Most Valuable Player in both volleyball and basketball, making All-State in basketball as a senior. In college at St. Edward’s University, she was a fouryear starter, earned a spot on the All-Academic team, and helped the Hilltoppers win their NAIA conference title in 2000.
“My dad introduced me to the sport of basketball at a very young age,” Duffey said. “I remember having a basketball in my hand all the time. I would watch TV and practice dribbling at the same time or lay down to watch TV and practice my shooting form. I believe the hard-work I put into the sport all my life made handling a basketball just feel natural and comfortable.”
Gutierrez played baseball for James “Nikki” Rowe High in McAllen, Texas Southmost, the University of Texas-Pan American and St. Mary’s of San Antonio before being drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 2001. As a Bronc, Gutierrez hit 21 home runs and was named an NCAA All-American. He later transferred to St. Mary’s University, helping the Rattlers to their first NCAA Division II national title in 2001 while belting a school record 28 home runs.
“It was a great experience (winning the national title) and I thank God for that opportunity,” he said. “I had the love and support of my family at all times. We had a great time and chemistry. That helped us to learn from each other and strengthen our team day by day. We had a very humble team and coaching staff.”
Near the end of his career, Gutierrez spent three seasons with the Reynosa (Mexico) Broncos.
Baseball is also the forte of Lozano whose umpiring career spans more than 50 years. Since 1970, he has served as an umpire at the NCAA Division I level and called multiple UIL regional championship games and two UIL state baseball tournaments. He is the longest tenured umpire in Texas and has umpired approximately 2,160 games.
“I thank my wife Maggie Lozano for her support,” Lozano said. “She worries when I'm out in 98- degree weather. It has always been a hobby for me, but, at 85 years old, I feel like Superman.”
Coach Canales has coached volleyball at McAllen Rowe High for 31 years (19 as head coach), taking her teams to the playoffs 17 times. Under her watch, the green and gold have won four district titles in a highly competitive district, six Area championships and advanced to the Regional Tournament five times. She has won 520 matches overall and was named All-Area Coach of the Year in 2015.
“They key to my success is hard work and discipline that help maintain my vision,” she said.
Martin, a former Edinburg Bobcat and All-Valley MVP, still owns several basketball records from her time at the University of Texas-San Antonio (1989-93). She is in the career top 10 in scoring, rebounding, field goals and steals for the Roadrunners’ program. She later played pro basketball for two seasons and served as an Athletic Director for 15 years in San Antonio.
“I was taller, faster and could jump higher than anyone around me, which naturally drew me to basketball,” Martin said. “My athletic abilities made the sport a perfect fit, fueling my passion for both playing and eventually coaching.”
Bruning excelled in volleyball, basketball and track at Brownsville Hanna High in the early 1980s and became the state high jump champion in 1983. At Southwest Texas State (now Texas State), she twice earned All-Conference in volleyball and was All-Conference three times in track where she won Gulf Star Conference individual titles in heptathlon, javelin and high jump. Bruning was named Conference FemaleAthlete of the Year in 1986 (Gulf Star Conference) and 1987 (Southland Conference).
Ayoub, a 1954 San Benito High graduate, spent 40 years in pro baseball and worked more than 6,000 games as a trainer at either the minor league or major league level. He started out with the Milwaukee Braves Organization in 1962 (the team moved to Atlanta in 1966). He was named Minor League Trainer of the Year in 1991 before retiring in 2000.
“He built many long-lasting relationships with players and managers who still keep in touch with him today, including Dusty Baker, Dale Murphy, Johnny Grubb and (current Atlanta Braves’ Manager) Brian Snitker,” his son Larry Ayoub said. “Hank Aaron appreciated Sam’s efforts so much he gave him his uniform.”
This year’s class will bring the Hall of Fame’s total membership to 297.
About the RGV Sports Hall of Fame
Founded in 1985, the RGV Sports Hall of Fame is a not-for-profit organization whose mission it is to recognize men and women who have brought honor and recognition to the Rio Grande Valley through their participation in sports as an athlete, coach, official, trainer, journalist or other sports-related position.
Visit www.rgvshof.net for more information
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Mark May is an RGVSHOF Board Member.